Golden Valley Electric Association

2007 Board Election Candidates


Ron Bergh - District 5 - nominated by committee

Bergh

Question 1: What management, technical and fiscal skills and experiences will you bring to GVEA’s Board of Directors?

I started and successfully operated several businesses in Alaska. A full service elevator company statewide for 25 years, a racetrack and cocktail lounge in North Pole for 28 years and am a founder and director of Denali State Bank were I was Chairman of the Board for over 10 years.

I’ve been a GVEA director since 1980 and have continually attended training classes and forums specifically related to the electric co-op business.

I am Alaska’s representative since 1990, and President of the Board of Directors of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, which serves over 1000 electric cooperatives in 47 states. This provides valuable information on issues that affect our utility, access to resources, and the ability to help influence public policy as it relates to utilities.

I’ve also served as a director on the CFC board of directors a 16 billion dollar bank providing financing to electric cooperatives nationwide.

Having been recognized by my pears in Alaska and Washington DC as a leader in the Electric Co-Op business I believe my experience at the national level will be of value to GVEA.

Question 2: How would you perceive your role and responsibilities as Director? Describe three accomplishments you would like to achieve by the completion of your three-year term as a GVEA board member.

The role of the board of directors is to establish policy, long range goals and direction and maintain broad oversight over operations. My goals would include the following three things.

Develop and implement an effective communication and information system so that all GVEA members know what the future challenges are and what directions GVEA will need to take to provide long term, reliable, cost effective power.

Educate and involve our members in the political process that so impacts our business. Many Federal and State laws and policies have and will continue to significant impact on our costs of providing power. For example the changes just made by congress raised the cost of employee’s defined benefit retirement plans by as much as a 55%, NRECA and the coop’s.

Assure that GVEA has a strong leadership and management teams that believe in the cooperative business model.

Question 3: What do you think Golden Valley's long-term goals and objectives should be? Do you have any specific ideas as to how these goals might be achieved?

Develop and implement a plan to protect GVEA from the high risks of price and availability of oil for generating our power. The world market for oil is becoming competitive as the developing countries like China and India put pressure on the world oil supply. Today all but about 12 % of GVEA’s power is generated by oil or gas.

I believe that GVEA must own and control all of its power supply needs (including reserve generation capacity) north of the Alaska Range and in our service area.

GVEA is facing the same challenges as the rest of the nation; we are building generation for the first time in 30 years. Our choices will be with us for the next 30 years, we must make good long term business decisions.

We need to look at all the options for power supply including renewable, coal with the latest proven technologies that protect the environment and maybe even a joint venture with other Alaska utilities that are facing the need for new generation. It is projected that the rail belt utilities could spend from 1 to 2 billion dollars on power supply with in the next 10 to15 years.

Question 4: What ideas do you have to help the co-op position itself for the future?

Involve all of the member/owners of GVEA so that the value of the cooperative business model is understood and participated in.

David Pieczynski - District 5 - nominated by committee

Pieczynski

Question 1: What management, technical and fiscal skills and experiences will you bring to GVEA's Board of Directors?

I believe I will bring a unique assortment of skills acquired through my experiences in Federal Service and being a North Pole City Councilman. My analysis of GVEA will be fresh and unbiased and will have both the commonsense workingman’s point of view combined with my experiences in management. I know what being on a board is like and how to get the job done.

Directives must first come from the members and the key is to then be heard by the board. GVEA needs to be responsive and ensure a process in which membership interactions are promoted through openness and communication. A cooperative is not just a business it’s also a democracy and management forgets that.

Through cost-conscious action and knowing that government subsidies are drying up proper actions must be realized when highlighting our future options. We must make that same dollar cover a bigger budget. More with less seems to be the word of the day. I worked with North Pole’s budget I can work with GVEA’s also.

GVEA has a bright future that hinges on today’s decisions. We need fresh ideas from a new perspective and that is what I have to offer.

Question 2: How would you perceive your role and responsibilities as Director? Describe three accomplishments you would like to achieve by the completion of your three-year term as a GVEA board member.

Board members are visionaries and overseers of the co-op. They steer the operation in a direction to increase our customer base through improving access and maintaining the highest degree of dependability. They show leadership through good stewardship, holding themselves to the highest degree of standards and being open to new innovative technology.

Adherence to future environmental regulations demand a call for recognition of responsibility. If we act now we can save ourselves added liabilities in the future. Besides it’s the right thing to do.

We need to enhance alternatives fuels for power and diversify our portfolio of consumables we purchase for energy production. As others become more dependent on fossil fuels GVEA will shine ever brighter through its adaptations for the future.

Collective bargaining with other utilities on purchasing contracts to lower acquisition costs can be very advantageous as long as GVEA retains its individuality and doesn’t compromise the membership’s say or overly limit our liquidity of assets.

Complexities in business will always increase as competitive demand dictates the bar to be raised higher and I feel froggy.

Question 3: What do you think Golden Valley's long-term goals and objectives should be? Do you have any specific ideas as to how these goals might be achieved?

Provide a better work safe environment and expand the knowledge and the diversity of skills in our employees. The greatest asset GVEA has is the employee and the easiest to invest in with the greatest return on investment. I believe in a cradle to grave policy where employees know that not only do they have a job they have a career.

GVEA will see a reduced cost in training with a higher percentage of retainment. A happier and safer work environment will be created. Saved revenue can be reinvested in this program perpetuating this upward swing making GVEA a more desirable company to work for creating a better applicant pool to draw from. Everyone walks away from the table a winner and that’s what I call good business.

Anytime GVEA can maintain and even improve it’s standing in the community we are obligated to pursue that avenue. Along with the above, education of our members is just as important for ultimately they are in charge. GVEA needs to insure that each member can make an informed decision. This is becoming a harder endeavor as the complexities of power generation grow and the frequency of changes in technology increase.

Question 4: What ideas do you have to help the co-op position itself for the future?

GVEA’s survival depends on every component of its body to be adaptable. A willingness to drop the stone age institutions of coal and other fossil fuels and embrace alternatives that still may seem to be on the horizon but show an ever increasing feasibility and are the wave of the future and will be essential.

Currently a seeking for the best mix of these sources is the way of the day. I believe a more aggressive approach in the alternatives will insure GVEA’s future.

Research and development in polymers for construction and conductors for delivery need to be increased. Cheaper materials to replace older expensive ones mean lower rates.

The search will never end for anything advantageous. I just hope I can be part of it. I can’t think of anything more gratifying than finding that solution.

The GVEA board has done well in the past and I commend all current and past members. I hope my answers will not be taken the wrong way by anyone as being negative. I ask for your vote to be able to put my ideas and values into action. THANK YOU.

Hank Bartos - District 5 - nominated by petition

Bartos

Question 1: What management, technical and fiscal skills and experiences will you bring to GVEA's Board of Directors?

I am currently the Owner of Century 21 Gold Rush – the largest C-21 franchise in the State of Alaska. We have consistently had the highest rankings for the state of Alaska within our brand, and have more high producing agents than any other office in Fairbanks and North Pole. I manage the office and oversee the expenses on a daily basis. Because of my position I am able stay current on the latest technologies. I work with many personalities and I feel this has given me great insight in dealing with people. I have also have been fortunate enough to serve on the Fairbanks Northstar Borough Assembly for the past 15 years. I have served in leadership positions within the Assembly, and have worked and reviewed the Borough budget. During my 20 year tenure as a Lieutenant Colonel with the United States Air Force I was consistently in leadership roles. I have never shirked responsibility and feel that I can bring much to the table.

Question 2: How would you perceive your role and responsibilities as Director? Describe three accomplishments you would like to achieve by the completion of your three-year term as a GVEA board member.

As a board member I see my role as that of a trustee for the assets of the membership. I believe in fairness and equality, and have very high ethical standards. I am an advocate in supporting the most affordable, dependable and accessible electrical service for our area. I believe that we need long term goals, and that we must plan for the future. I pride myself on being an active listener.

My goals during my term are:

Question 3: What do you think Golden Valley's long-term goals and objectives should be? Do you have any specific ideas as to how these goals might be achieved?

I would like to see that GVEA is ready when the gas is available for power generation. We need to be fiscally able to step into the future. By being conservative and planning carefully, I believe that we can be ready when the time comes.

Question 4: What ideas do you have to help the co-op position itself for the future?

Our commitment to service needs to be high, and our rates reasonable. We need to act as though this utility is available from numerous providers. We need to be active in the community, and listen to the people we serve. I would like to see GVEA take advantage of technology and become more pro-active toward problem solving. We all know that a company must adapt in order to succeed. I fully believe that when changes on the outside of an organization take place faster than those on the inside, the end is in sight.

Karen Cedzo - District 6 - nominated by committee

Cedzo

Question 1: What management, technical and fiscal skills and experiences will you bring to GVEA's Board of Directors?

I have 19 years administrative experience in higher education (1979-1998), establishing the University of Alaska Fairbanks’s university relations and advancement programs. Prior to working at the University I was news director at KTVF and was a partner in a Fairbanks based public relations firm. I also helped my husband manage his air taxi operation, Sawmill Creek Air, Ltd., during the period 1988-1997. Since retiring from UAF in 1998, I have provided public relations counsel to select clients through Sawmill Creek Enterprises.

Question 2: How would you perceive your role and responsibilities as Director? Describe three accomplishments you would like to achieve by the completion of your three-year term as a GVEA board member.

I believe in two-way communication to achieve effective delivery and understanding of important information. In my experience good communication creates trust and builds support among employees, members and the public. Clearly, GVEA is important to healthy sustainable communities throughout the Interior. I endeavor to represent the best interests of the members of District 6 and the entire cooperative. I try to be a good listener to consider new ideas and address concerns, and I believe in sharing my ideas and concerns. During my short tenure as the appointee to fill the vacancy in District 6, I learned a commitment of time for meetings and education is essential. I expect to work hard and to be an informed board member.

Three accomplishments:

Question 3: What do you think Golden Valley's long-term goals and objectives should be? Do you have any specific ideas as to how these goals might be achieved?

Be the best electric utility utilizing diverse energy sources to achieve the best price and value for its members.

I would look at all options. We will have choices about diverse energy sources to provide electric power and will need to weigh short-term and long-term considerations to achieve the best value for our members.

Question 4: What ideas do you have to help the co-op position itself for the future?

I would like to use my public relations skills and experiences to help the co-op communicate effectively its actions and decisions on behalf of the membership. Complicated issues require well-explained information, discussion, feedback and appropriate response.

John Sloan - District 6 - nominated by committee

Sloan

Question 1: What management, technical and fiscal skills and experiences will you bring to GVEA's Board of Directors?

I am a retired schoolteacher with 24 years of classroom experience. Having a classroom of eager children and working with administration has taught me many management skills. Punctuality, working within a group towards a goal, working within schedules, keeping classroom expenses within a budget to name a few. Since I retired, I am the owner of a small business that employs fifteen summertime workers. I hire and fire help, manage schedules, run payroll, make orders, meet the customers, pay bills, general handyman, etc. I was a Delta city council member for four and a half years. This was a rough time in Delta after BRAC virtually mothballed Fort Greely and a private run prison was the only offer to use Fort Greely. During my time on the council we saw a new library, fire station and a new dump built.

Question 2: How would you perceive your role and responsibilities as Director? Describe three accomplishments you would like to achieve by the completion of your three-year term as a GVEA board member.

My roll as a director is to be present at all the meetings, do the required reading prior to meetings, become knowledgeable of the policies and laws regarding GVEA and getting important information out to the people in my district. Accomplishing the educational commitment outlined in the GVEA information. Making decisions that are difficult and standing firm knowing I have the people and GVEA’s best interest at heart. Three things I would like to achieve as a board member. I would like to write short articles for the Delta Wind. These articles may be of human interest, important events facing GVEA and it’s members or maybe just a synopsis of our meetings. I would like to become knowledgeable on the whole energy generation, supply and demand, and distribution facing GVEA in order to make the best decisions. I want to be available to the members of district 6 at all times. I want to have open discussions with them about GVEA in our district. I want to be seen in public places like fairs and bazaars as a GVEA representative and be willing to discuss issues facing GVEA and its members.

Question 3: What do you think Golden Valley's long-term goals and objectives should be? Do you have any specific ideas as to how these goals might be achieved?

I like the green power pledge. The idea of 10 percent of our peak power coming from renewable sources by 2007 is great. An article in last month’s Ruralite described several ways other co-ops are utilizing local and unique sources of energy from wind to geothermal power, gas from garbage and even fish oil. Who knows what’s on our horizon. Our main long- term goal ought to be aimed at reducing our dependency on oil as a means of generating power. An awareness of conserving energy should be constantly on people’s minds. A conservation program in the schools could be started again. Begin at the grass roots. Aim a conservation program at the large users too. This might be where major savings could take place.

Question 4: What ideas do you have to help the co-op position itself for the future?

Not only do we have Missile Defense and POGO in the Delta area but also there seems to be quite a bit of exploration going on now. This may add to electrical needs in the future if any more sites become mines. We may need to look at this in the near future as an impact on our current availabilities.

Brian Corty - District 6 - nominated by petition

Corty

nominated by petition:

Question 1: What management, technical and fiscal skills and experiences will you bring to GVEA's Board of Directors?

I have a very extensive background going back to 1988, where I worked as an apprentice to an electrician, Eric Stauffer, where we turned a single family resident into two apartments. We removed posts and tubes, and replaced them with up-to-code wiring, and breaker systems.

I then turned to Management, working for Radio Shack and Rite-Aid in Personnel Management and Retail. I raised the net profit of the Harrisburg East Mall Radio Shack from $750,000 to $4.67 million in just 5 years; upgrading it from a regular store to a computer plus store.

After leaving Radio Shack, I was District Installation Manager for Rite-Aid drug stores, where we installed more then 500 point-of-sales computers, drug interaction systems, and satellite uplinks across the North-East.

I decided to start my own computer networking company, and within 4 years I developed it into a networking Think Tank, designing customer Radio frequency networks to deliver land-based Wireless Wide Area Networks for ISPs around the world. I now have customers such as Cable & Wireless Worldwide and APM Terminals

International, not to mention a very well needed Wireless Wide Area Internet Service Provider here in Delta Junction with more then 100 end-customers, and out of those clients some have over 200 computers on there internal networks.

I also have a very extensive background in raising funds for major projects, and Public Company management.

I have taken two companies into IPO status, and have raised more then $6 million in venture capital, as well as investing over $3.5 million of my own funds into industries such as Wireless ISPs, and Solar Cell Management companies.

Question 2: How would you perceive your role and responsibilities as Director? Describe three accomplishments you would like to achieve by the completion of your three-year term as a GVEA board member.

My role would be to interoperate the needs of my fellow District 6 residents, and to interoperate the need of GVEA to the residents.

The three things I like to accomplish would be:

Question 3: What do you think Golden Valley's long-term goals and objectives should be? Do you have any specific ideas as to how these goals might be achieved?

The long term goals of GVEA should be to install lower cost electric generation and alterative power sources that will use renewable or green energy solutions.

Question 4: What ideas do you have to help the co-op position itself for the future?

I have been doing a lot of research in the way of Power Cell and Wind Generation in high wind areas, and the use of Small Generators used to make large power arrays. I would like to share my finds with the Board of Directors, and show them how these types of systems could add the already solid power generation systems on-line today.